Find out how to calculate and pay vehicle tax in Colombia: it is possible to save a few pesos

The vehicle tax in Colombia is part of the fiscal responsibilities of the citizens, however, in many occasions essential aspects of this tax are not known, which may have an impact on the amount to be paid to the municipal treasury.

For example, if the persons obliged to pay this tax exceed the payment deadlines, they will have to assume a surcharge for late payment, so it is always good to know the tax calendar to access the benefits for compliance.

To facilitate this process, there are pages specialized in liquidating vehicle tax, which provides the user with a series of very useful tools to consult the information corresponding to this tax according to the department in which the vehicle is registered, as well as a simulator to calculate the value to be paid year by year and the possibility of requesting advice from a vehicle processor.

Below, we will explain in three points the aspects that must be taken into account at the time of liquidating and paying the vehicle tax.

1. Who must pay the vehicle tax

The vehicle tax, technically called motor vehicle tax, is a tax obligation that is charged directly to the owner of the motor vehicle or its holder. Payment must be made in the jurisdiction where the vehicle is registered.

The vehicle may belong to an individual or a legal entity, therefore the requirements of the procedure change according to the nature of the owner or holder of the vehicle.

2. What is the schedule for the payment of the vehicle tax?

The vehicle tax schedule varies according to the jurisdiction. For example, to pay the vehicle tax in Bogotá, taxpayers had until June 2 to pay with discount and until July 28 to pay without discount but without fine.

In the case of vehicles registered in the city of Barranquilla, the date established to pay with discount was June 30. As of that date, the payment of the vehicle tax included the surcharges and interest corresponding to the late payment.

3. How to calculate the value of the vehicle tax

Calculating this tax is not a complicated task; to do it accurately it is important to consider the following points:

• Vehicle tax according to the specific characteristics of the vehicle. In case this value is not known, MinTransporte is the entity in charge of updating the amount to be paid year by year, according to the vehicle’s characteristics.
• The characteristics that intervene in the amount of vehicle tax payable are:
  • Class of the vehicle, such as automobile, motorcycle, freight transport of goods or passengers.
  • The make of the motor vehicle, line, model and its capacity.
  • Rate, according to the valuation of private vehicles; automobiles, trucks, vans, station wagons, cargo and passenger vehicles; motorcycles over 125 cm³, and public vehicles.

In this way, you can avoid cost overruns at the time of liquidating and paying the vehicle tax each year.